The devil Alpha

What She came for

*Lucian*

I stride out of the building into the fog-shrouded night. My bones immediately begin to ache, a reminder from too many nights sleeping in the cold. Now I keep the rooms of my residences unbearably warm simply because I can. Having spent my youth without many comforts, I indulge in all of them now. I have developed a reputation for being eccentric and extravagant, for spending foolishly. But I can well afford to spend however I damn well please. Being in partnership with Jack ensures it.

Yes, investing in the vices pays handsomely.

Before I reach my coach, my liveried servant opens the door with a slight bow.

“Home straightaway,” I say, as I climb inside.

“Aye, my Alpha.”

The door closes, and I sit back against the plush seat. The well-sprung coach lurches forward. Gazing out the window, I can see little save the gray swirling mist. I don’t care for it much as it has a permanent place in my dreams.

Not that I dream often. In order to dream, one needs to sleep, and I seldom sleep for any great length of time. I’m not certain any of us do. Feagan’s pups.

We are bound together by the things we have done. Things the high packs could never comprehend being desperate enough to do.

It’s one of the many reasons that I’m not entirely comfortable with my place in the world. Shortly after the old Alpha’s demise, I attended a ball to publicly take my place as the new Alpha of Claybourne, and a hush descended over the crowd as soon as I was announced at the top of the stairs. I sauntered through the room, daring anyone to question my presence. No one was able to meet my gaze.

An image flitters at the edge of my memory. One young miss not only dared to hold my gaze, but fairly challenged me. I’m not certain why, but I think of her on occasion. She was nothing like Frannie. Standing there in her elegant evening gown, with every strand of her blond hair tucked perfectly into place, she appeared spoiled and pampered. It’s one of the reasons I abhor the idea that I’m now part of the high packs. They know nothing of suffering. They know nothing of the humiliation of scrounging for morsels of food. They aren’t familiar with the sharp bite of the cane when begging doesn’t bring in enough coins or slipping hands into pockets doesn’t acquire enough handkerchiefs. They don’t know the fear of being caught. Even children were sent to prison, sometimes transported on great hulking ships to the other side of the world, and on rare occasions, hanged.

The coach comes to a halt, the door opens, and I alight. I always feel a tad guilty upon first arriving at my Blackrock city residence. Two dozen families could live here comfortably. Instead it is only me and two dozen servants. Of course, that will change once I take Frannie as my Luna. Children will roam these hallways soon afterward.

They will experience a far gentler life than their parents have known.

The massive front door opens. I’m surprised to find my butler still awake. I keep all hours, come and go as I please, when I please. I don’t expect my servants to live their lives according to my late-night habits.

Fitzsimmons has seen after the residence long before I ever came to live here with the old Alpha. The butler has been fiercely loyal to the previous Alpha, and not once… as far as I know… has Fitzsimmons ever questioned the old Alpha’s contention that I am his grandson.

Once the door closes, I remove my hat and hand it to the butler. “I have told you before that you need not stay up until I return home.”

“Yes, my Alpha, but I thought it best to do so this evening.” He says.

“And why is that?” I ask, tugging off my gloves.

“A she-wolf arrived earlier.”

I still. “Who?”

“She wouldn’t say. She knocked at the servants’ entrance, said it was of paramount importance… a matter of life and death were her precise words… that she speak with you. She has been waiting in the library ever since.”

I glance toward the hallway. “And you have no idea who she is?”

“No, my Alpha, although I would venture to guess she is a she-wolf of the utmost quality. She has that air about her.” He says.

Over the years, a few she-wolves of quality have sought out my bed. I live a life of abundance that many have wanted to embrace, but I always make it clear that I offer nothing permanent. Some have simply wanted to play with the devil for a time. But none have ever claimed visiting me was a matter of life and death. How dramatic. The remainder of my evening promises to be entertaining.

I hand my gloves to Fitzsimmons. “See that we are not disturbed.”

“Yes, my Alpha.”

My curiosity piqued, I stride down the hallway. No servant waits outside the door. He has no reason to believe his services would be required at this ungodly hour.

I enter the library, slamming the door behind me, a grand entrance to disarm my visitor.

The she-wolf standing at the window, gazing onto a garden hidden by darkness and fog, jerks around. The hood of her pelisse lies against her shoulders, its clasp interfering with what would have been a lovely show of skin from throat to bosom. Beneath the cloak, she is dressed to seduce and for reasons I can’t fathom, I am suddenly very much in the mood for seduction.

“Miss Evangeline, as I recall,” I drawl, sauntering nearer until I can smell the expensive perfume that wafts over her skin like the fragrance of a delicate rose.

Her blue eyes widen slightly. “I did not realize you knew who I was.”

“I make it my business to know who everyone is.”

“You consider me your business?” She says.

I smile slowly, “Ah, yes, Miss Evangeline. Isn’t that what you wanted when you challenged me that night at the ball?”

“Not particularly, no,” she mutters.

Mesmerized, I watch as her delicate throat moves ever so slightly as she swallows… the only indication she gives that she is having second thoughts about being here.

She is lovelier than I remember… or perhaps it is simply that maturity agrees with her… and she still possesses the courage to hold my gaze. Or perhaps not. It wavers for a heartbeat as she glances away while licking her lips. An invitation for something more intimate.

I trail my finger along the soft flesh beneath her chin and her gaze jumps back to mine. Beneath my touch, I can feel her pulse quickening, fluttering like a tiny moth that has dared to approach the flame and now realizes it is left with no means of escape. It is obvious she is a novice when it comes to the art of seduction, but no matter. I have enough experience to see us through.

“I know why you are here,” I say, my voice low, provocative, a prelude to our lying beneath the silken sheets that adorn my bed.

She furrows her delicate brow. Her features are exquisite perfection, carved by nature with obvious care and never altered by the harshness of life.

“How…” she begins.

“Do not think you are the first to try to trap me into marriage. I’m not easily caught.” I slide my finger along her flesh, down to the clasp at her throat. “I have little doubt your guardian stands just beyond the window, watching, waiting until the perfect moment to make his presence known.” With nimble fingers, I loosen the clasp and carefully slide the cloak off her shoulders until it pools on the floor.

My body tightens with the unobstructed view of all she has to offer. I have gone too damned long without a she-wolf beneath me. Even if I were snared by her trap, I would escape it easily enough. Cradling her face, I lean nearer until my breath mingles with hers. “But even if he witnesses me removing your clothing, even if he sees you welcoming me with open arms and crying out in ecstasy, I will not marry you,” I whisper.

I hear her breath catch.

“I will not restore your reputation once tarnished.” I brush my lips over hers. “If you get with child, I will not give you respectability. The price you pay for waltzing with the devil is residing in hell.”

I settle my mouth firmly over hers, not at all surprised that she acquiesces so easily.

Even if she has not come here to trap me, I know what I am to her. A curiosity, nothing more. A bit of misbehavior before she settles into a respectable marriage with an Alpha whose lineage is never questioned behind his back.

She doesn’t resist when I urge her lips to part. She moans when I sweep my tongue through her mouth, leaving nothing unexplored. Her hands grip the lapels of my jacket, and I think for a moment that she sways. I react with a need so strong that it almost brings me to my knees.

Even as I curse her and my own weakness, I recognize that I have no will to resist temptation. I will have her. She has brought this moment upon herself by arriving at my doorstep. I am a man who always takes advantage of opportunities presented, and she is presenting me with an opportunity for passion. It’s been too long since I have unleashed my desires. She will benefit from all that I have to offer tonight, but no more than that. In the morning, she will take nothing from me except the memories.

Tearing my mouth from hers, I bracket her face between my hands and hold her gaze.

“Be sure this is what you want, Miss Evangeline, for there will be no undoing once this is done.” I tell her.

Her breaths coming in short gasps, she shakes her head. “You misunderstand my purpose in coming here.”

“Do I?” I ask mockingly.

She nods. “I want someone dispensed with. And I hear you are just the man to do it.”